Yes, the economic crisis really is that bad. Dear Friends, As congress is off to recess for the month of August, we are still waiting to know if and how additional resources will be provided to assist those struggling with unemployment, reductions in wages, COVID-19, and of course the resulting food and housing insecurity for many in our region. As we wait, we continue to work in the following ways to address food insecurity across the region . . . - In our Advocacy and Policy work, we continue to keep tabs on the shifting landscape, how it impacts access to benefits and nutrition programs, and to urge our policy makers to do MORE to ensure no one goes hungry. Not only are we awaiting Congressional action on a response bill, but DHS and PDE await USDA’s decision on several important waivers that will dramatically impact how flexible nutrition programs like SNAP and school meals remain.
- Just last month, USDA expected states to get back to business as usual in administering SNAP benefits. It then reconsidered, and has now indicated a willingness to take a more transitional approach. DHS has submitted a plan and awaits USDA’s decision.
- As for schools, many districts in our region are being forced to confront the complexities of providing effective instruction through remote and hybrid models. But another often overlooked and daunting challenge is how they will provide free and reduced-price meals to the growing number of students whose families are struggling to make ends meet. With just weeks remaining before schools start, school meal plans remain uncertain as PDE desperately awaits USDA’s decision on several important waiver requests that will determine how – and to whom – school districts can provide meals.
We hope to provide a positive update on both fronts next week. -
- In the meantime, while we don’t want to depress you, we think it’s important to share data that helps put current challenges in context. And, yes, the economic impact of the pandemic really is that bad. For those who want more in-depth analysis, please see this special report: Tracking the COVID-19 Recession’s Effects on Food, Housing, and Employment Hardships released by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) on Wednesday. According to CBPP analysis of U.S. Census Pulse Survey data, across the nation Black and Latino households are facing extreme food hardship.
    - Outreach and Education wants to remind everyone that the Summer Meals program is still running throughout the five counties! You can find all of the information needed to access sites and promote the program on our website. On the website, find flyers, social media graphics, and information about the program in both English and Spanish. And of course you can always find a site on our map or call our Summer Meals hotline at 1-855-252-MEAL.
- Our SNAP Hotline team continues to answer questions and help households navigate the SNAP application process through our SNAP Hotline at 215-430-0556, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We continue to see a slow increase in calls to our SNAP Hotline. We are working to reactivate our SNAP Hotline Volunteer network. Thank you to our many volunteers for your eagerness to jump back into the work of connecting households with the food resources they need
- One of the ways we support our local Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen VIP members is helping link them with resources they need. And so, we’re reaching out to you with a need of one of our Food Pantry partners. Faith Chapel is in need of a commercial freezer. Faith Chapel is a food pantry operating in Germantown. If you can help them with this, please contact Ms. Terri Graves at [email protected]
VIP (Victory in Partnership) Program STORY This week the Coalition Team met with food pantry and soup kitchen VIP members to listen to their feedback for our work. Thanks to the VIP members who participated in the call! This was one of the action steps the Coalition identified as part of our Black Lives Matter commitment. During our call we heard many stories. One VIP member mentioned that she received a call from Tanya, the Coalition’s Nutrition Program Manager who told her there was a person who wanted to donate turkeys and hams to a food pantry. Through that initial connection the VIP member says, “I’m friends with that guy to this day. He’s been a real, real helpful friend. I got a lifetime friend as a result of that referral, and that’s been a blessing.” This is our VIP Program in action! Farewell and thank you to Jackson Foltz, a Fox Fellow, who interned with us at the Coalition over the summer! Jackson has worked closely with Katie, Community Educator, on our outreach efforts including a survey with SNAP applicants regarding their use of the online COMPASS application and then using this information to inform the creation of a user’s manual to guide people through applying for SNAP online. We wish Jackson all the best and hope we can meet you in person sometime in the future. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Thank you for your support of our work to connect individuals and families to the food resources they need. -The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger |
